The Early Dynastic Period, Development Of Royal Power Flashcards
What was the power system and what were the focuses of the time?
Centralised power focused on texts and kingship
When do narrative texts begin to appear?
ED III
Where do we find texts from?
Shuruppak, Abu Salabikh, Syria and Iran
What is different about the early texts characters?
They’re phonetic
What happens to Lagash during this period?
It becomes incorporated with Girsu, a cult centre. Lagash is already the capital.
How big was the cemetery at Ur?
2000 ordinary graves, 16 tombs with multiple royal burials
What is the significance of the great death pit?
A possible mass suicide, 6 armed men and 68 women and girls - this is the only mass grave of its kind
Which artefact shows the feats of a king during the ED period?
Ur-Nanshe of Lagash, shows renovation and canal building. This would have been on a temple wall and shows Ur-Nanshe with his family and some high officials.
What artefact celebrates Lagash’s triumph over Umma?
The stele of the vultures, 2450
What are the two sides to the stele of the vultures and what do they show?
Mythical side - Ningirsu, patron god of Girsu/Lagash, triumph over enemies
Historical side - Eannatum and his soldiers triumph over the same enemies as the gods in the battle
What does the stele of vultures say about the origin of Eannatum
It says he was created by the gods
What does Eannatum declare on the stele
He says he will win back the field between Lagash and Umma
In the mass grave, what is an artefact of significance?
The puabi headdress, this shows the wealth of the court at the time
Which artefact was buried next to a possible standard bearer and why is it significant?
- The royal standard of Ur, it has a peace and a war side, shows a banquet and the peaceful management of resources.
- There are scenes of the natural world and hunting.
- A harp depicted on the box has also been found in real life
